Proper Flag Etiquette: Flag Day, June 14

Tuesday, June 14, is National Flag Day. It's a day that commemorates the adoption of the U.S. Flag back in 1777. Just a few years ago, President Obama extended the Flag Day festivities to Flag Week. As you fly your flag proudly, here are helpful reminders from USflag.org on proper flag etiquette.

Displaying the Flag Outdoors:

The flag should always be flown at the top of a flag pole, unless being flown purposefully at half staff. When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag, of a state, community, society or Scout unit, the flag of the United States must always be at the top.

When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag’s union should be farthest from the building.

Raising and Lowering the Flag:

The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.